HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the loss to the state exchequer due to the pandemic is Rs 50,000 crore.
Stating that the budget session is likely to begin after March 15, the CM said the state government will focus on revenue mobilisation by auctioning government land in the city to fund various welfare schemes.
He said the effect of Covid-19 and the prolonged lockdown was such that the overall impact on the state’s coffers has now touched Rs 1 lakh crore.
At a review meeting with senior officials on 2021-22 state budget which will be presented in the assembly, the CM said the government is planning to garner Rs 25,000 crore from auctioning of government land.
He said the budget session is likely to continue for 10 to 15 days. Generally, budget sessions begin in the first week of March, but in view of graduates MLC elections, the state government is planning to start the session after the MLC polls on March 14.
Reviewing the budget proposals for major departments, the CM said the upcoming budget would be encouraging with higher allocations to various sectors as the state economy has started recovering and revenues are increasing.
“For some sectors, allocations will be more compared to the previous budget,” he said. Sources said the state government is likely to make allocations for new schemes such as unemployment allowance and also make budgetary provisions for government employees for pay revision.
While continuing all welfare schemes such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, loan waiver, pensions, scholarships, Kalyan Lakshmi-Shaadi Mubarak, KCR Kits and other schemes, he said sheep rearing scheme would be continued. “Yadavs and Golla Kurmas have been earning well under the scheme. Apart from the 3.70 lakh units of sheep which have already been disbursed, another three lakh units will be distributed and allocations made in the current budget,” KCR said.
KCR said the Centre had praised the sheep rearing scheme and Telangana has emerged as the state with highest sheep population. “This scheme along with integrated fisheries development scheme will be continued in the state,” he said.
The chief minister said the modalities for budget estimations have been prepared and department wise details will be finalised from Sunday.
“From Sunday, the finance minister will hold meetings with various departments like R&B, panchayat raj, municipal administration, education and irrigation departments separately along with officers concerned on budget requirements and allocations,” he said.
Once the budget proposals are ready, the CM will hold a final review meeting to give final touches to the budget presentation.